Park Jae-hyuk is a seasoned journalist who has provided comprehensive coverage of South Korea's corporate dynamics, economic policies, industry challenges and the global positioning of Korean companies. Based on the articles he has written since joining The Korea Times in 2016, his investigative approach has helped readers understand corporate governance, economic trends and business strategies shaping South Korea’s economy.
Top conglomerates continue global efforts for Busan’s World Expo bid
Employees of SK earthon's Kuala Lumpur branch hold a banner supporting Busan's bid to host the World Expo 2030 in the Malaysian capital in this undated file photo. Courtesy of SK Innovation
By Park Jae-hyuk
SK chief vows to give utmost for Korean city’s victory
SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, co-chair of the Bid Committee for World Expo 2030 Busan, sits in economy class on an airplane while traveling overseas to promote Busan’s bid to host the World Expo 2030. Screenshot from Chey’s Instagram
Korea’s largest conglomerates and their leaders vowed to continue their international efforts until the final moment, for Busan to be chosen as the host city of the World Expo 2030 by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) members in Paris on Nov. 28 (local time).
SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, who also serves as a co-chair of the bid committee, expressed his determination to do his best to help Busan, as the voting day approaches.
“When we first started, it seemed like an impossible fight with no chance of success, but thanks to the Korean government and various companies’ utmost efforts, we are now closely catching up to the point where no one can predict the outcome,” he wrote on Instagram, Thursday. “I am also meeting prime ministers and cabinet members from various countries every day in different countries, risking everything to secure even one more vote.”
The chairman, who is one of the wealthiest people in Korea, also uploaded a photo of himself sitting in an economy-class seat on an airplane, saying that “Time is precious.”
He arrived in Paris earlier this month and has been conducting promotion activities. Since Nov. 13, he has visited seven countries in Latin America and Europe, traveling a total distance of 22,000 kilometers during the 10-day period and meeting with heads of state from an average of one country per day.
SK Innovation, the group’s oil refinery unit, also said Sunday that its affiliates in Europe, Southeast Asia and North and Latin Americas sent photos with a message that reads “SK proudly supports Busan’s bid to host the World Expo 2030.”
Other chiefs of conglomerates are also promoting Busan’s Expo bid in various parts of the world.
Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun appeals for support for Busan's bid to host the World Expo 2030 to delegates representing member nations of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) during a banquet at a hotel in Paris, Thursday (local time). Joint Press Corps
Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun appealed for support for Busan to delegates representing the BIE members during a banquet in Paris, Thursday, saying that “Following Korea’s advancements in science and technology, K-pop and K-food, Busan is gaining international recognition.”
In Paris, the automotive group will promote Busan until the voting day, using its specially-designed “art-cars” decorated with symbols and slogans for the Korean city.
The symbol of the Bid Committee for World Expo 2030 Busan is seen on an ad for Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 hanging on the exterior wall of Opera Garnier in Paris in this undated file photo. Courtesy of Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin and Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan also attended several events in the French capital last week to meet as many officials as possible from the BIE member countries.
In addition, Samsung has played promotional videos supporting Busan’s bid in Paris and major European cities, while LG has run buses decorated with images promoting the Korean city.
LG Electronics and LG Energy Solution buses decorated with images and slogans promoting Busan's bid to host the World Expo 2030 are seen in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris in this undated file photo. Courtesy of LG Electronics
Lotte will light up the exterior of Lotte World Tower in Seoul every night until the voting day, with the catchphrase, “Busan is No. 1,” and the colors of the “Taegeuki,” or South Korean flag.
Lotte World Tower in Seoul displays a message reading "Busan is No. 1" to support Busan's bid to host World Expo 2030 in this undated file photo. Courtesy of Lotte Property and Development
Busan is competing against Riyadh of Saudi Arabia and Rome of Italy.
Amid the rumor that at least 122 countries declared their supports for the Saudi capital, Korea is going all out to prevent Riyadh from securing more than two-thirds of votes from the 182 BIE members in the first round of voting. In that case, the candidate with the least votes will be eliminated and a run-off vote will be held.